1. CommUNITY Film Fest is this Sunday!

Movie Camera Just a reminder to everyone that the CommUNITY Film Fest is Sunday, February 9 at Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant, from 2-5 pm! The entries this year are amazing, as always! Be sure to come and cheer on the folks you know and the ones you don’t! As always – this is a free event – just show up early to get a good seat!

2. Project Runaway aims to curb sex trafficking

Runaway Project — (from left) Connie Zemmelman, Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge; Pat Stephens, Director of Community Supports; Tina Wozniak, Lucas County Commissioner; and Jane Meyer,Provider Support Specialist at the kick-off for Project Runaway.

The Lucas County Board of DD is a longtime participant with the Human Trafficking Coalition and will be be supporting the new Project Runaway initiative. The goal is to prevent the transition of runaway youth into sex trafficking and drug addiction.

According to research from the University of Toledo, runaway and homeless youth are 2.5 times more likely to use and abuse drugs and are at the highest risk for sex trafficking. It's also known that individuals with developmental disabilities may be at an increased risk of being targeted by human traffickers

3. Team will represent the Northwest Region

Congratulations to the Lucas County Special Olympics D4 team for winning the NW Region tournament!! The team will now be representing the NW Region in the state basketball tournament at Bowling Green State University on February 22nd-23rd

4. You can receive free text message alerts from the Board of DD

Texting You can sign up to receive text messages from the Lucas County Board of DD by sending this message to 40404: follow LucasDDAlert . This is an immediate and cost-efficient way for you to receive information about inclement weather closings, important meetings, or other significant notices about Board of DD operations.

And it's free!

5. University of Toledo is offering an online graduate certificate in Disabilities Studies

As many as one in five people can be considered disabled, making knowledge about disability issues beneficial for all professions. The certificate in disability studies enhances understanding of disability as a unique identity, history and culture. The faculty have been specially trained in online education.

All classes are offered exclusively online, helping students balance work, life and studies. Those enrolled will complete 12 credit hours of courses designed to challenge barriers by promoting integration, inclusive professional practices, the understanding of disability law, and engaging in bold imaginings.

For more information: https://www.utoledo.edu/al/disability/graduate-certificate.html

6. Aging Gracefully newsletter for February

Please follow this link for the February newsletter.

7. Job postings

To stay up-to-date on job openings with the Lucas County Board of DD, follow this link. The Board is currently taking applications for Secretary, Community Inclusion and Employment Manager, Early Intervention Developmental Specialist, and Service and Support Specialist.

Preferred Properties is seeking a Service Coordinator.

Bittersweet Farms has openings for a QIDP and a Barn Specialist. Here is the link for both: https://bsf.ninjagig.com/

Manahan, formerly Josina Lott Residential, has openings for 2nd shift DSP’s. The updated website includes the new employment application at www.manahanlife.org

Lott Industries is currently seeking a Medicaid Billing Assistant. https://lottserves.org/carreers/

8. Couple of notes from iDance

I Dance has 88 Dancers competing Feb 15th at the ACT 1 Dance Competition at the Maumee HS. Our Super Group is scheduled at 3:00pm. This event is FREE to watch, come out to support!

Drum Circle at the iDance Studios STARTS MARCH 17th and then the Third Tuesday of every month 7-8pm $5.00 Drums provided, space is limited to 20 people, call to reserve your space 419-309-1610

9. Request a speaker from the Board

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and the perfect time for your club, group or organization to schedule a guest speaker from the Board of DD. Please contact our Public Information Office at 419-380-4048 or fill out the online form at this link.